Open Days at Miss Porter’s House

Experience an Edwardian Christmas. See how the Porter family celebrated with cards, decorations, and toys during the early years of the twentieth century and browse a range of homemade Christmas goodies for sale.

Children can compare their own Christmas presents with those given to Ella and Hazel Porter. Christmas gifts were few in number; a doll or tiny tea set would have been cherished and the favourite Christmas Annual eagerly anticipated. Books and toys were expensive and valued possessions.

Snap a photo beside the Edwardian-themed Christmas Tree and marvel at decorations made from only paper, wood, glass, and fabrics, no flashing electric lights or musical elves.

Mark Australia Day with a visit Miss Porter’s House, a heritage home filled with special showcases of Australiana and locally manufactured items of yesteryear, on display for the occasion.

Turn the pages of newly acquired replicas of the museum’s picture card books to discover the Australia and New Zealand of the mid-twentieth century, and how attitudes to people and events have changed.

Everyone can enjoy the home created by the Australian born children of nineteenth century migrants. Children can spot the images of kookaburras, kangaroos and wattle which adorn the Porter women’s crochet, embroidery and stencil work. They’ll also find native motifs on commercial brooches, matchboxes and tea towels.

Spend the afternoon reliving the early twentieth century and marvel at how everyday life in Newcastle has changed. See unique household objects, from the everyday to the curious, and handmade treasures.
Children can test their knowledge of the appliances used before ubiquitous electrical household goods by spotting the butter cooler, mincer, flatiron and potato masher. They can imagine what life was like when washboards, soap savers and dolly pegs were common laundry items.
Turn the pages of newly acquired replicas of the museum’s notebooks, admire a 1920s portable windup gramophone and more.

Marvel at the making and mending of yesteryear. Discover homemade clothing and textiles from 1910-1997, as well as exquisite crochet, lace, and embroidered household linens. Examine the 1910 treadle sewing machine, one of Florence’s early household purchases, and listen to its story via a QR code on the display.
Much of the 20th century women’s work also involved making-over and mending. Visitors can see repurposed clothing, the mending and darning of yesteryear and the creative reuse of fabrics. Learn how Florence and her daughters, Ella and Hazel, created clothing, accessories and household textiles for themselves, their home and as gifts for friends and relatives.

Browse a special display of Newcastle life in the early twentieth century as lived by the Porter family of King Street, Newcastle. Re-live bygone days with items of Miss Porter’s House documentary history, a UNESCO Memory of the World listed collection. View treasured family snaps, prints, commercial photographs and post cards. Spot the Gas Works Office, all that remains in 2025 of the nineteenth century Steel Street Gas Works and see Ella and Hazel Porter at Cooks Hill School. Young visitors can have extra fun when the Easter Bunny makes a surprise appearance - find the golden egg to WIN a basket of tiny Easter goodies.